Exhibition Catalogs

Contains catalogs of exhibits and other events the Japan Foundation has hosted or co-hosted.

*The catalogs listed below can be browsed at Library.

Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Cover of Contemporary Artist Series Exhibition Report Transphere 2016-2020

This is a bilingual report of the exhibition series Contemporary Artists Series <Transphere> held at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris from 2016 to 2020. Each of the seven exhibitions that introduced various genres, including the visual arts, architecture, and fashion, is presented with the views of the installations and texts by many specialists, including the curator of this series, Ms. Okabe Aomi.

Fiscal Year 2019-2020

Cover of The Life of Animals in Japanese Art

The catalog of the exhibition “The Life of Animals in Japanese Art,” held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2019. This catalog offers a sweeping exploration of animals in Japanese art and culture across sixteen centuries with nearly 300 works of art.

Cover of The Tale Of Genji

The catalog published in conjunction with “The Tale of Genji: A Japanese Classic Illuminated,'' on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Tale of Genji is recognized as the world's first novel, and has influenced all forms of Japanese artistic expression. The publication illuminated its wide-ranging influence on Japanese culture, design, and aesthetics.

Cover of Yōkai: Iconografía de lo fantástico. El Desfile Nocturno de los Cien Demonios como génesis de la imagen sobrenatural en Japón. Memoria de la Exposición

The report of the exhibition “Yokai: Iconography of the Fantastical. The Night Parade of One Hundred Demons as the Source of Supernatural Imagery in Japan” held at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, commemorating the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Spain.

Fiscal Year 2018-2019

Cover of Transphère #5 Tomoko Yoneda--Dialogue avec Albert Camus

The catalog of the exhibition "Transphère #5 Tomoko Yoneda—Dialogue with Albert Camus", from March 28 to June 2, 2018 at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris, including not only essays by the artist and the curator, but also a text by Marta Gili, Director of the Jeu de Paume.
Curator: Aomi Okabe, Artistic Director of Exhibitions of Transphere series at the MCJP

Cover of Fukami Immersion in the Art and Aesthetics of Japan

Exhibition catalog which is published on the occasion of Japonismes 2018 “Fukami Immersion in the Art and Aesthetics of Japan” at Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild (from July 14 to August 21, 2018).
- 200 pages
- Colored illustrations and Exhibition views
- Accompanying essays (Curator: Yuko Hasegawa,
Philosopher: Christine Buci-Glucksmann, Art historians: Nobuo Tsuji and others)
- French and English
- Published by Editions Flammarion

Cover of Tadao Andô : Le Défi

Tadao Ando (b. 1947) is a Japanese architect, known internationally for his mastering of light, his minimalist contructions, the formalism of his plans and his geometric compositions. Rewarded many times, including by the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1995, he works on many monumental projects, including the museum of the Pinault Collection, in the former Bourse de Commerce of Paris. Exhibition catalog which is published on the occasion of Japonismes 2018 "Tadao Ando: Le Défi" at Centre Pompidou, October 10 - December 31, 2018.

Cover of YU-ICHI INOUE 1916-1985 -La calligraphie libérée

Exhibition catalog which is published on the occasion of Japonismes 2018 "YU-ICHI INOUE 1916-1985 -The Liberation of Calligraphy " at la Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris (from July 14 to September 15, 2018) and Musée Toulouse-Lautrec (from September 29 to December 17, 2018).

The catalog of the exhibition “Foujita, Works of a life (1886–1968)” in Paris, at la Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris from January 16 to March 16, 2019.
This exhibition is organized as part of Japonismes 2018 ,
the cultural event commemorating the 160 years of friendship between Japan and France.
This exhibition catalog features all images of exhibited 36 works, texts of selected works and essays of curators, Yoko Hayashi (Art historian) and Sophie Krebs (Chief Curator at Musée d’art moderne de la Ville de Paris) and others.

Cover of Trésors de Kyoto - Trois siècles de creation Rinpa

Exhibition catalog which is published on the occasion of Japonismes 2018 "Trésors de Kyoto - Trois siècles de creation Rinpa" at Musée Cernuschi, musée des Arts de l'Asie de la Ville de Paris from October 26, 2018 to January 27, 2019.

Cover of Ryoji Ikeda | continuum

Composer and visual artist, Ryoji Ikeda (1964 -) is a prominent figure in Japanese electronic music. His creations invite listeners to experience immersion in a world mingling sound, image, space, perceptive phenomena and mathematical equations. Exhibition catalog which is published on the occasion of Japonismes 2018 "Ryoji Ikeda | continuum" at Centre Pompidou, June 15 - August 27 2018.

Cover of Exhibition Catalog

The catalog of the exhibition “Jakuchû le Royaume coloré des êtres vivants” at Petit Palais in Paris, from September 15 to October 14, 2018.
This exhibition is organized as part of Japonismes 2018 , the cultural event commemorating the 160 years of friendship between Japan and France.
The curators of the exhibition are Aya Ōta, Chief Curator of the Museum of Imperial Collections (Sannomaru Shōzōkan) and Manuela Moscatiello, in charge of the Japanese collection at the Musée Cernuschi in Paris.

Cover of Exhibition Catalog

The catalog of the exhibition “Jomon - Birth of art in prehistoric Japan” in Paris, la Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris from October 17 to December 8, 2018. This exhibition was organized as part of Japonismes 2018, the cultural event commemorating the 160 years of friendship between Japan and France. This exhibition catalog features all of images and texts on exhibited 64 works and essays of curators, Masayuki Harada (Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan), Yoshiya Shinagawa (Tokyo National Museum) and others.

Cover of Exhibition Catalog

Quarterly magazine of Palais de Tokyo, a contemporary creation center in Paris. The magazine is devoting its issue to the exhibition “Another banana day for the dream-fish”, presented at this center from June 22 to September 9, 2018.
This exhibition was co-organized with the Japan Foundation as part of Japonismes 2018, the cultural event commemorating the 160 years of friendship between Japan and France.

Fiscal Year 2017-2018

Cover of Transphère #3 Naito--émotions de croire

The catalog of the exhibition "Transphère #3 Rei Naito—the emotion of berief", from January 25 to March 18, 2017 at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris. "the emotion of belief" was the new installation of Rei Naito, an artist who has built an international reputation with her minimalist and conceptual creations.
Curator: Aomi Okabe, Artistic Director of Exhibitions of Transphere series at the MCJP

Cover of Transphère #4 keisuke kanda + ANREALAGE ANOFUKU--Le vêtement réinventé

The catalog of the exhibition "Transphère #4 keisuke kanda + ANREALAGE ANOFUKU—Le vêtement réinventé", from September 6 to October 28, 2017 at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris. The exhibition focuses on the meeting of two of the most innovative fashion designers in Japan.
Curator: Maholo Uchida, Head of the "Development of exhibition projects" at The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan)

Cover of “Yōga: Modern Western Paintings of Japan” Exhibition Catalog

The Japan Foundation co-organized the exhibition “Yōga: Modern Western Paintings of Japan” in Taipei City, Taiwan with the Museum of National Taipei University of Education, The University Art Museum, Tokyo University of the Arts, and the Japan Art Dealers Association. This exhibition catalog features color plates of the exhibits and essays to explore the history of exchange among Japanese and Taiwanese artists in the Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras and the development of modern art in the region.

Fiscal Year 2015-2016

Cover of Transphère #1 Daito Manabe + Motoi Ishibashi--Paysages Fertiles

Manabe and Ishibashi have been innovating artistically by making use of technological developments. The catalog of the exhibition "Transphère #1 Daito Manabe + Motoi Ishibashi—Fertile Landscapes", from March 16 to May 7, 2016 at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris.
Curator: Aomi Okabe, Artistic Director of Exhibitions of Transphere series at the MCJP
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Cover of Transphère #2 Atelier Bow-Wow et Didier Fiuza Faustino--La Maison Magique

The catalog of the exhibition "Transphère #2 Atelier Bow-Wow and Didier Fiuza Faustino—The Magical House", from June 8 to July 30, 2016 at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris. These architects have emerged to bring a fresh look to the definitions of architecture hitherto established.
Curator: Hou Hanru, Artistic Director, The National Museum of XXI Century Arts - MAXXI, Rome, Italy

Cover of sotasu catalog

The Japan Foundation, in cooperation with the Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, the Asian art museums at the Smithsonian Institution, organizes the Sōtatsu: Making Waves exhibition focusing on the works by this Japanese artist of the early Edo period.
This exhibition catalog includes various works by Sōtatsu and his circle of painters, along with modern era paintings from the 1910s onwards (Taishō and later eras) that were influenced by Sōtatsu.

Fiscal Year 2014-2015

Cover of Report on Japan's official participation to the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2014

Report on Japan's official participation to the Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh 2014, held in Dhaka in December 2014. The participation of the curator and the artists was organized by the Japan Foundation.

Cover of RUN & LEARN Projects & Art Guide

RUN & LEARN: New Curatorial Constellations was a curatorial development program that the Japan Foundation organized in four Southeast Asian countries as part of the cultural cooperation program in visual arts during the fiscal years 2013 and 2014. This set of four books reports individual art projects carried out in respective countries as a result of this program, and also introduces the current art scene in Southeast Asia, which is in the midst of rapid change.


Fiscal Year 2011-2012

The Japan Foundation Traveling Exhibitions : cover

The Japan Foundation has assembled traveling exhibitions from its own collection of artworks and actively sends them to foreign countries. Traveling exhibitions may consist of works in areas such as ceramics, photographs, paintings, crafts, and Japanese dolls. Approximately twenty permanent traveling exhibitions are on the road throughout the year, appearing in over 100 museums and cultural facilities and, as introductions to the breath of Japanese culture and art, have been received with rave reviews everywhere.These traveling exhibitions are co-organized by the Japan Foundation and diplomatic missions abroad, with the cooperation of the art galleries, museums and cultural organizations in each country.


Fiscal Year 2009-2010

Twist and Shout: Contemporary art from Japan : cover

This is a catalog of the first large-scale exhibition of contemporary art from Japan held in Thailand. Exhibited pop art works of 17 artists representing Japan in the 2000s are printed in full color.


Windswept Women: The Old Girls' Troupe : cover


Winter Garden: The Exploration of the Micropop Imagination in Contemporary Japanese art : cover

This book is the catalog of the exhibition entitled "Winter Garden: The Exploration of the Micropop Imagination in Contemporary Japanese art." The exhibition was planned by the Japan Foundation and curated by art critic Midori Matsui to introduce a new generation of contemporary Japanese artists to the world.


Fiscal Year 2008-2009

Cover of exhibition catalog: WA: l'harmonie au quotidien - Design japonais d'aujourd'hui

This book is a valuable document that contains four essays by curators and commentary on all of the 161 design items exhibited, in English and French.


Cover of Contemporary Architect's Concept Series 2

This book introduces the concepts presented by an architect Junya Ishigami, one of exhibitors at 11th International architecture Exhibition, Venice Biennale. It contains many pictures, drawings, and drafts of Ishigami's works.


YOKOHAMATRIENNaLE 2008 TIME CREVaSSE

This book contains a list of all artworks exhibited in the YOKOHAMATriennale 2008, texts by the team of curators, and photographs and texts by artists.


YOKOHAMATRIENNaLE 2008 Guide Book

This is the official guidebook of the Yokohama Triennale 2008, summing up the information of all artists participated in the Triennale and all venues deployed around the main venue Shinko Pier Exhibition Hall.


Fiscal Year 2007-2008

Cover of exhibtion catalog: Vanishing Points:Contemporary Japanese art

a catalog of the exhibit held in India as an event commemorating Japan - India Friendship Year 2007 and introduced Japanese contemporary art.


Cover of exhibition catalog: Beautiful New World

Catalog of the exhibition "Beautiful New World: Contemporary Visual Culture from Japan”, an exhibition Commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations. It gives an overview of 34 creative people of a variety of fields, from media art, architecture, and fashion to manga and anime, as well as contemporary art.


Cover of exhibition catalog: Parallel Nippon: Contemporary Japanese architecture 1996-2006

a traveling exhibition’s catalog, published by Shinkenchiku-sha. Price: ¥2,381 (tax excluded)


Cover of catalog: Japanese Pavilion, the 52nd Venice Biennale 2007

Works of Masao Okabe, artist that represent Japan at the 52nd Venice Biennale.


Cover of exhibition catalog: Cubism in asia

a catalog of exhibit of works from Japan, China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to review asian modern art and to show show how cubism, European art trend started in early 20th century in Paris, was accepted and changed in asian countries.


Fiscal Year 2006-2007

Catalog of the exhibition"Katagami and Japonisme” held at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris.


Countries from asia, africa, South america and Pacific regions participated the 12th Biennale. Participants from Japan were Mr. Hiroshi Fuji and Yuken Teruya.


Works from the asian Cartoon Exhibition featuring 77 new works by 10 leading
cartoonists from 10 countries depicting youth culture in the respective nations


Catalog of "Rapt!-20 contemporary artists from Japan-,” an ambitious program of exhibitions, residencies and public events showcasing contemporary Japanese art in australia.


Fiscal Year 2005-2006

Cover of exhibition catalog: Visions of the Body 2005

Catalog of the exhibition "Visions of the Body 2005” at Seoul Museum of art, text in both Japanese and Korean.


Cover of catalog: Japanese Pavilion, the 51st Venice Biennale 2005

Features works of Miyako Ishiuchi who exhibited her works at the Japanese Pavilion at the 51st International art Exhibition of Venice Biennale.


Cover of exhibition catalog: YOKaI-- Bestiary of the Japanese Fantastic

Catalog of the exhibition "YÔKaÏ - Bestiaire du fantastique japonais” at the Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris.


Cover of exhibition catalog: Positioning - In the New Reality of Europe: art from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary

Catalog of the exhibition "Positioning - In the New Reality of Europe: art from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary," organized jointly by the Japan Foundation, The National Museum of art, Osaka, Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary art and Museum Of Contemporary art Tokyo.



Cover of YOKOHaMa2005 Documents

In addition to information of all the artists in International Triennale of Contemporary art YOKOHAMA2005 , a document of this triennale with photos by Shigeo anzai is also listed.


Fiscal Year 2004-2005

Cover of exhibition catalog: Imari: Porcelains for Shoguns and European Kings, 1610-1760

This is a catalog in French of "Imari: Porcelains for Shoguns and European Kings, 1610-1760,” an exhibition traveled in Europe from 2005 to 2006.


Cover of catalog: 26 Bienal Internacional de Sao Paulo

This is a country-by-country catalog in English and Portuguese of the 26th Sao Paulo Biennale, one of the biggest international exhibits of modern art since 1951.Works of Susumu Miyazaki, an exhibited artist, are listed.


Cover of exhibition catalog: Living Together is Easy

a catalog of Living Together is Easy exhibited at Contemporary art Gallery, art Tower Mito from January 24 to March 28, 2004.


Exhibition catalog of the 11th Triennale INDIa in which artists from 40 countries in the world as well as India participated.


Report on an international symposium held in relation to the exhibit Cubism in asia in which 77 works of 53 artists from 11 asian countries including Japan were exhibited and artists and their activities during a period when cubism was accepted in asian countries and areas were introduced.

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